Honesty and straightforwardness, never betraying my own vows—this is my ninja way...
To surpass all past Hokage and become a greater hero than even the Fourth Hokage.
"To make the entire village recognize my existence…"
At this moment, the First, Second, and Fourth Hokage, as well as Young Obito, all watched as the darkness surrounding Naruto gradually faded.
Having lost consciousness, Naruto Uzumaki mistook only Tobirama Senju's voice for Pain's, and in his desperation, he launched an attack. But his movements were quickly sealed by Hashirama Senju's Wood Release.
In this sudden illusion, Naruto heard the dying words of the Pervy Sage as he was on the brink of death.
Those memories, filled with everything he had lost, brought a sliver of clarity back to the Naruto who had fallen so far into darkness.
One of his eyes remained a dark, blood-red color, while the other returned to its usual blue. It seemed that he was fighting desperately against the dark side within him!
["Naruto, you remind me of the protagonist in my novel."]
["You've inherited Minato and Kushina's beliefs and dreams."]
["A ninja's true talent isn't measured by the number of jutsu they can perform. What matters most is an unwavering will that never gives up!"]
["Honest and straightforward, steadfastly refusing to break your own vows. Naruto, if this is your ninja way, how could I, your master, give up so easily?!!"]
"!!!!!"
As Jiraiya's voice echoed in everyone's ears, they saw the illusory Jiraiya—severely wounded, his body torn apart, one arm missing, his vocal cords shattered, his chakra disrupted by Pain's black chakra rods...
This dying Jiraiya was still struggling to rise!
"Truly an exceptional ninja," praised Hashirama Senju.
Tobirama Senju remarked, "Did he really get back up just by sheer willpower?"
Before he could finish, the illusion of Pain responded, somewhat awkwardly, "His heart should have stopped by now. Did he really get back up just by sheer willpower?"
"..."
The voices were identical, and they even said the same lines.
Hmmmmmm...
Hashirama: "Tobirama, perhaps you should refrain from speaking for now."
"Hmph!!"
This brief moment of awkwardness did nothing to diminish the grandeur and sorrow of the illusion's atmosphere.
They watched as Jiraiya, using his dying strength, inscribed a code on the back of the Fukasaku toad, writing with his chakra.
["Never give up!"]
[9, 31, 8, 106, 7, 207, 15]
Pain noticed Jiraiya leaving the code and turned to strike him once again!
The world suddenly fell silent...
["Naruto, without a doubt, you are the Child of the Prophecy I've been searching for."]
["The rest... I entrust entirely to you."]
Boom----!!!
"Ugh... Grr, let go!... Pervy Sage....."
Naruto Uzumaki thrashed violently within the Wood Release. The darkness within him and his original self struggled fiercely against each other. Hashirama Senju did not release Naruto like this.
All of this was an illusion. The white-haired ninja before him had already perished at the bottom of the Sea of the Land of Rain. No matter what, Naruto could no longer save him.
Naruto struggled desperately within the Wood Release. Half of his face was dark, chaotic, and ferocious, while the other half was filled with helpless pleading—a sight that tore at the heart. The illusion was not yet over.
Though Jiraiya had fallen into the deep sea, facing certain death, his will, his inner voice, continued on...
["Jiraiya's Tale of Heroism—doesn't this finally look somewhat fitting?"]
Minato Namikaze lowered his head, his shoulders trembling, betraying his emotions.
["Final Chapter: The Frog in the Well Cultivates Itself in the Vast Ocean."]
Hashirama Senju remained silent, honoring an exceptional Konoha ninja.
["Hahaha, this counts as a decent ending."]
Tobirama Senju stood beside his elder brother, sharing the same thoughts.
["Now, it's time to put down the pen."]
Young Obito Uchiha felt as if a boulder was weighing on his chest. Jiraiya's will had given him a profound insight.
["What should the sequel be titled?"]
Naruto Uzumaki, still struggling to find his footing amidst the chaos, froze. As if anticipating something deep within...
["Ah, right!"]
["The Tale of Naruto Uzumaki"]
["Yes! What a splendid name!"]
"...."
The illusion faded, leaving them once again in that pale golden space. Naruto stood still, as though frozen by a Shadow Imitation Technique, trapped within the Wood Release. Time passed, second by second.
Within Obito Uchiha, Minato Namikaze, the First Hokage, and the Second Hokage, a rhythm pulsed—a beat that surged from weakness to strength, igniting their blood.
Suddenly, Naruto, with one eye dark red and the other still blue, lifted his head and let out a human roar! The sound was like a wail—tragic, yet filled with unyielding determination!
The others standing there could hardly describe the emotions surging within them. They watched as Naruto Uzumaki, with sheer willpower, suppressed the darkness within his heart. They watched as the dark red faded from his other eye, leaving both eyes now clear blue...
"Naruto responded?!" Young Obito exclaimed in surprise.
Minato Namikaze nodded. "It seems so." He tentatively called out, "Naruto?"
"Yeah, sorry," Naruto replied.
Tobirama Senju sensed the peaceful chakra within Naruto's body. "Withdraw the Wood Release, big brother."
To be cautious, before releasing the Wood Release, Hashirama warned Naruto, "My brother just sounds like Pain. Don't attack him suddenly again, understand?"
"Yeah, the First Hokage Rock's old man sure is long-winded. I've got more important things to do right now," Naruto muttered.
Long-winded...
Hashirama almost sank into gloom, but thankfully remembered to first release the Wood Release seal on Naruto.
Naruto approached his father's chakra. "Sorry for losing my temper earlier."
Chakra-form Minato patted Naruto's head. "As your father, I'm the one who should apologize."
Naruto Uzumaki, responding to the clear-eyed gaze, pressed his lips together, a complex mix of emotions stirring within him.
Naruto said, "But knowing that the Pervy Sage, the Fourth Hokage, and even Mom once looked forward to my birth... it feels like redemption."
Minato smiled. "Is that so? Then are you ready to face Pain?"
"I haven't figured out a specific strategy yet, but I have to face him eventually!" Naruto flashed a smile. "The Pervy Sage's new book is ready. I can't very well not contribute, can I?!"
Minato nodded. "Yes. Remember this: no matter where you are, no matter what choices you make..." Chakra Minato's form grew increasingly faint. "I, Jiraiya-sensei, Kushina, and all those who believe in you—we are always with you."
"Mm."
At the final moment, Chakra Minato twisted his hand clockwise across Naruto's abdomen.
The seal on the Nine-Tails, once loosened, snapped back into place with unyielding tightness!
Amidst the Tailed Beast's curses and grumbles, Chakra Minato vanished...
"We should be leaving soon," said the Edo Tensei Minato. "I apologize for not intervening earlier—I received intelligence from another world..."
After much deliberation, Edo Tensei Minato decided to tell Naruto.
"Intelligence?"
"If we hadn't appeared, Kakashi would become the Sixth Hokage in the future."
Naruto's eyes widened in shock, his pupils dilating. "You mean the Sixth Hokage... then..."
"Yes. There must be a way to bring Kakashi back to life."
Hearing this, Naruto recalled how Gaara had also died for a time, only to be revived with Chiyo's help.
Edo Tensei Minato continued, "We must depart now. What you choose to do is entirely your own decision. I apologize for placing the weight of peace's hope upon your shoulders, but you bear no undue burden. Whether you succeed or fail, it matters little whether you are the Child of the Prophecy. What truly matters is that you are Jiraiya-sensei's student, and the child of me and Kushina."
Minato slapped Naruto on the shoulder. "Remember, you were born into our hopes and blessings." He winked at Naruto, his distinct double eyelids still carrying a hint of youthful playfulness. "Besides my chakra, I also sealed your mother's chakra within you back then. You only get one chance to use it, so don't squander it carelessly, okay?"
"!!" Naruto's eyes lit up with delight. "Really?!!"
"Of course."
"Suddenly I feel so pumped!! Like I could go out there and beat Pain right now."
Naruto looked a bit silly.
Minato Namikaze smiled. "After you defeat Pain, we'll have a proper chat."
"Yeah!"
The group departed.
Naruto Uzumaki grinned cheekily at the Nine-Tails amidst its curses.
"Hey, Nine-Tails. Sooner or later, your hatred will fade too. Until then, just stay put."
Seeing the Nine-Tails cease struggling within Chibaku Tensei, Pain thought he had finally sealed it.
But unexpectedly...
'Boom--' A loud explosion! The Nine-Tails within the Chibaku Tensei had vanished?!
"Naruto Uzumaki?!"
Standing atop the Chibaku Tensei, Naruto Uzumaki had returned to his previous robust form. His eyes were clear and bright, filled only with the stubborn conviction of self-belief.
"His confusion vanished?! And he controlled the rampaging Nine-Tails?!! What the hell just happened?!" Pain exclaimed in shock.
A small slug crawled out from within Naruto Uzumaki's clothes, informing him that Hinata and Iruka were still alive.
Stunned, Naruto immediately activated Senjutsu, sensing their chakra!
"Indeed! Hinata and Iruka-sensei's chakra is still there! They're still alive!!"
Surveying the devastation wrought by the Nine-Tails, Naruto felt a wave of dread wash over him, his legs weakening. If he had truly been consumed by the Nine-Tails' will, everyone would have been doomed!
"Thank goodness..."
Naruto's legs trembled so violently he nearly collapsed. "Iruka-sensei and Hinata's chakra is still there—faint, but they're alive."
He hadn't truly killed them! His attacks had avoided their vital points.
"Take me to your true form," Naruto said, fixing his gaze on Pain. "I have something to tell him directly."